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I recently got a Novara express bicycle and was considering putting drop handlebars on it. In my searches of looking for the right components that would go on this, I could not find levers that would accommodate 27 speeds, or were under $300. Do they exist? Thanks

Your Novara has SRAM FD. SRAM currently makes 10 spd bar end shifters $100. I wldnt try Shimano to SRAM unless you can return em if they dont work. I would contact SRAM directly and ask what bar end shifter they make would work with the X7.
And check out: http://www.cyclechat.net/topic/66636...r-for-sram-x7/

I would contact SRAM directly and ask what bar end shifter they make would work with the X7.

AFAIK, no bar-end shifter will work with a SRAM X7 rear derailleur. Until SRAM's new 10-speed stuff came out, their road and mountain RDs used slightly different amounts of cable pull in different parts of the range of motion. Neither Shimano or SRAM road shifters will work if that is the RD that you have.

Taken from the GURU Sheldon Brown site.......AND if you search their site they say the Shimano Ultegra 8 Speed unit work with a 7 speed cassette: their quote " The 7-speed units are no longer available, but the 8-speed shifters actually work quite well with 7-speed cassettes, especially with modern rear derailers"

So logic would be the SRAM 10 Speed would work with the SRAM 9 speed cassette. Hence the suggestion to contact SRAM. .......They are the experts.....

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/upgrade-gears.html
Bar-end shifters are the most versatile of handlebar-mounted shift options for use with drop handlebars. Modern ones are indexed for the rear derailer, but use friction shifting for the front. As a result, they are compatible with all front derailers and all chainrings.
The Shimano models even offer a selctor on the rear shifter that permits it to be used either as an indexed or friction system.
Bar-end shifters work particularly nicely when used with a "low-normal " derailer.